Assistant Crew Leader Position Description

Assistant crew leaders (ACLs) support Washington Trails Association’s mission to empower hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward, and champion trails and public lands. They are leaders and ambassadors in a statewide community that shares values of stewardship and volunteerism; cooperation and partnership; community and inclusion; and a community that likes to have fun!

If you have familiarity with basic trail maintenance, have a desire to share your knowledge with other volunteers and are committed to creating inclusive spaces for everyone on trail, we encourage you to apply.

Assistant crew leader Gail an a new volunteer smile during a workday. Photo from WTA archives.

The primary responsibility of an ACL is to assist the crew leader in creating a safe and rewarding experience for all participants on WTA trail work parties. ACLs share the love of building, maintaining, and caring for trails; and they teach others to make a meaningful impact on trails.

Responsibilities

Leadership

Inspire other volunteers by teaching skills in leadership and trail maintenance
Foster a safe, fun and inclusive environment for work party participants and trail users
Engage and encourage participants to enrich their understanding of trail work in context of WTA’s mission

Technical and logistical assistance

Understand and help communicate project goals and tasks to the crew
Assist crew leader in work site logistics by helping with forms, tool handling, performance metrics and engaging volunteers before and after work parties
Assist crew leader in trail construction by teaching volunteers correct tool use techniques, ensuring quality production, and encouraging a proper work pace
Ensure a safe volunteer experience by knowing, following, and enforcing WTA’s workplace safety practices and emergency response protocols
On volunteer vacations and backcountry response teams, assist crew leader with camp management as needed

Participation in Washington Trails Association community

Willingness to promote positive trail culture and stories to engage future volunteers on work parties and other WTA events
Advocates for and represents WTA mission, programs and membership while on work parties
Participates in recruiting new ACLs
Provides recommendations and constructive feedback when appropriate while also accepting constructive feedback from WTA staff and other volunteer leaders
Enthusiasm to support youth program, outreach events, volunteer vacations and backcountry response teams

Assistant crew leaders take a step back from doing, and teach green hats new skills. Photo courtesy Ryan Ojerio.

Commitment

Initial commitment

Complete classes in leadership and emergency response at Crew Leader College or equivalent regional training
Attend an orientation session for new Assistant Crew Leaders

Ongoing commitment

Attend at least three work parties marked "ACLs needed" per year
Participate in ongoing education including WTA trainings and regional crew leader roundtables, where available
Annual attendance at Crew Leader College (recommended)
Refresh Leadership and emergency response training every other year (recommended)
Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification (preferred), Basic First Aid/CPR minimum requirement - every 2 years
Maintain proficiency and familiarity with WTA emergency response protocols

Teaching the next generation how important it is to steward trails is one of the responsibilities of an assistant crew leader. Photo from WTA archives.

Qualifications

Demonstrate capacity to:

Support a positive and inclusive atmosphere for volunteers on work parties
Teach skills to a diverse range of volunteers and participants
Lead a group of volunteers in trail maintenance activities
Present and monitor WTA work safety practices
Communicate effectively with others including listening, giving and receiving feedback
Follow minimum impact/Leave No Trace guidelines

A desire for continuous growth in leadership and technical skills
Past participation in a recommended 25 work party days or similar experience
Ability to pass a Washington State background check for working with youth volunteers
Shares WTA’s commitment to diversity and equitable access
Must be 18 years of age or older

Ready to apply? Here's how

What can i do to prepare prior to application?

Great question! Talk to your regional team, crew leaders, and assistant crew leaders about your interest in becoming an ACL. Let them know you're interested in becoming an ACL. They may offer you leadership opportunities, like leading a tool talk or describing a trail technique. Ask your crew leaders for feedback in your leadership style, and continue to create positive, welcoming relationships with other volunteers.

who is my regional team and how do I contact them?

Please contact the region you tend to work in the most. Our “regional team” generally means our regional manager and coordinator(s) for a given region:

Northwest
Regional Manager |Arlen Bogaards| arlen@wta.org
Regional Coordinator |Justine Nishitani| jnishitani@wta.org

Southwest
Regional Manager | Ryan Ojerio| ryan@wta.org
Regional Coordinator | Stasia Honnold | shonnold@wta.org

Central and Eastern
Trail Programs Senior Manager | Janée Romesberg| jromesberg@wta.org
EWA Regional Coordinator | Holly Weiler| hweiler@wta.org

Olympics and South Puget Sound
Olympics and South Puget Sound Field Manager |Jeremy "Jay" Tarife| jeremy@wta.org
South Puget Sound Trails Coordinator |Zachary Toliver| ztoliver@wta.org